Marketplace Ministry

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him(Colossians 3:17).

You invest more than one-third of your life at work. You crawl out of bed, get your shower, start the engine at 6:00 a.m., and make the drive into work. You punch the clock. You boot up the computer. You eat lunch at noon. You go back to work. However, trying to keep your mind and body focused until the buzzer sounds at the end of the day can be difficult.

You do that same routine day-after-day.

Is there a point to it all?

Does your relationship with God grow in all this?

The temptation is to separate your life into two parts:

Life on the job.

Life with the church family.

What do others at the workplace expect me to be? What does God expect me to be when I'm with the people at my workplace?

Here are a couple of things you might want to keep in mind.

Let Co-workers See Your Faith in Action

Your friends at work know about your faith because...

You have mentioned that you are involved with a local church family.

You've told them that you would pray for them as they go through a crisis.

There's just that "something" about you that is different and attractive.

They've seen you go through a crisis and still maintain a Christ-like attitude.

So whatever your work style, make your life "the pleasing aroma of Christ"(2 Corinthians 2:15). Look for ways to model your faith "with gentleness and respect" and "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have"(1 Peter 3:15).

Stay Focused

Do you ever find yourself thinking ...

How in the world did I end up here?

I may look like I have it "all together," but I hope no one realizes how afraid I am.

What do people expect of me? Am I doing a good job?

How do I let my faith show in this place?

Centuries ago, a beautiful woman named Esther learned some of the same lessons we're trying to think through today. She was taught these important lessons by her close relative, Mordecai. Her life — and yours — is a reminder God doesn't put us where we are by accident. The truth of our importance can be summed up in these words from Mordecai to Esther:

When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"(Esther 4:12-14 emphasis added)

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When you think about your work, ask yourself Mordecai's important question: "Who knows if God has placed me here for such a time as this?"

God's There with You

God is always walking with you no matter the events in your life (Hebrews 13:5; Romans 8:31-39). He does so that you will always trust Him. He also does so to influence those around you to be drawn closer to his grace.

As you head off to work tomorrow, believe that God is in the workplace with you!

About the Author

Brian is preaching minister at Central Church in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He is passionate about preaching the grace of God, the Lordship of Jesus and the indwelling Spirit. Most of all, he believes in preaching Jesus and blogging about practical things that will help believers remain under God's guidance. (Visit the Author's Website)